Help needed to catch vandals
VANDALISM of the foreshore at Kingscliff Beach has been on the Tweed Shire Council agenda for some time.
With councillors at odds as to how to deal with the problem of people pruning the vegetation to enhance their view, the problem may be solved by the vandals' peers.
"We are doing a letterbox drop along Marine parade," said Tweed mayor Barry Longland.
"The aim is to get feedback from the community on the problem and get some help to track down the culprits."
The construction of a fence to protect the dunes and riparian zones while they are restored has been knocked back at the last general meeting, with community consultation being sought over the issue.
"There are many approaches to the problem," Cr Longland said.
"I personally think fencing is a good option.
"It worked at Casuarina.
"It sends a definite message that this is the consequence of vandalism."
An environmental form of Neighbourhood Watch has also been discussed, whereby community members can "dob in" the offenders.
This would work something like the "Dob in a Graffitist" campaign to counteract the defacement of public property.
At the meeting of the Tweed Dunecare Co-ordinating Committee in May it was reported that numerous trees planted in the upper foreshore in 2010 had been broken off or cut off 20 to 30cm from ground level.
The council has resolved to take a zero tolerance approach where illegal destruction of vegetation has occurred.
"Fencing may seem like a drastic measure," Cr Longland said.
"But it's the consequence of vandalism and those who perpetrated the destruction need to get the message."
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